WHAT'S NEW IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE?

University of Cambridge

The third edition of David Crystal’s Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language published this year. There have been huge developments in English in the 15 years since the previous edition. Not all of the developments have been predictable. Among the expected changes were a continuing spread of English as a global language and the remarkable growth of new internet varieties. But who would ever have predicted in 2003 that the book would need new spreads on English in a post-Brexit Europe, or on changes in the oratorical style of American presidents? David will discuss these issues, along with a further unexpected outcome in relation to the language of Shakespeare.